Kukla's Korner Hockey

The 89th NHL season kicks off next Wednesday with all 30 clubs believing they have a realistic shot at making the playoffs.
Seriously.
"The parity is amazing," says veteran centre Jeremy Roenick of the Phoenix Coyotes. "You can't count anybody out in hockey anymore. There's no clear contender for the Cup."...
Last season, as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman points out, 22 clubs either made the playoffs or were within 11 points of making the playoffs.
"That is phenomenal competitive balance," said Bettman. "Because I think what a sports league owes its fans, no matter what team they root for, is the hope, the optimism, the excitement, that their team has a shot."